Titanium and Zirconia External Connection Abutments Produced Following a Digital Protocol: An In Vitro Study

PURPOSE: To assess the quality of precision at the implant-abutment interface of single-tooth restorations with titanium and zirconia abutments with hexagonal external connections produced using a digital protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 abutments were produced with commercially pure titanium, and 20 abutments with zirconia, both following a necessary digital protocol. Rotational freedom of all the abutments was assessed. All data were analyzed according to procedures established by software package STATA 14.2. RESULTS: No significant differences relative to rotational freedom emerged between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that both types of abutments constantly demonstrated approximately 2 degrees of rotational freedom between implant and abutment where the hexagonal external connection was concerned.